Was forced to mount the kerb in a hurry earlier today when an ambulance overtaking stationery traffic on it's side of the road (and with blue lights but no siren) drove straight at me.
I appreciate it was heading to save someone's life (better had have been...) so I've no gripe with that, but, I've damaged my alloy. There's a fair chunk/scuff out of the rim.
Is it best to clean it up and find something to seal it with so that it doesn't get worse, or get it repaired somehow? I know from colleagues' experiences that our leasing co can be a bit picky with alloys so I don't want to let it fester for a couple of years and get badly corroded if there's a quick fix for it now.
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Hard luck PG. There are quite good refurbishing outfits. People here will recommend some I'm sure.
Chunk, eh? Well, you might be lucky. What kind of spare wheel do you have? Same as the others?
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Make sure the tyre's all right by the way. No bad cuts.
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If it's just scuffed on the outside of the rim then I can lend you (if you're still in Basingstoke) a set of instrument-makers files to 'draw-file' the damage smooth before respraying the lacquer.
Anything more than a scuffed rim and you need to get it inspected by a techie.
Kevin...
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Hi pologirl, similar experience, no chunks out but severe scratching due to a horrendous collapsed drain gulley in Manchester. I would be interested to learn of a reliable repair/reinstatement company. Any advice welcome. Concrete
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When I mounted the kerb after skidding on snow on a bend I had the front nearside wheel and tyre replaced just to be on the safe side. I had my doubts whether a visual inspection would be sufficient to determine that the damage was acceptable. My life is worth more to me than the cost of a wheel and tyre.
--
L\'escargot.
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I'd recommend you swap it straight away for the spare then get it checked out by a professional repair centre.
The reason I say this is because a month ago, while on my motorbike, I clipped a concrete block which was thoughtfully left in the road. The rim was slightly bent on the offside. Looked like it could be repaired and the tyre looked fine. Took it to a specialist who put the wheel up on a roller and oh dear ! The wheel was a write-off.
There was no telltale vibration and the rim did not split or crack.
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How about putting in a claim for compensation from the Ambulance Authority or whatever it is called.
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Tyre place kerbed my alloy!!!
It was already bad luck that a nail got into the tyre and I had to pay them £90 for a new one. Then later discovered they'd kerbed it..
I'm so careful and those ******* couldn't care less.
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Aside from possible damage to the tyre best to get the wheel checked, replacement might be wise.
Also an alignment check is worthwhile, it could be knocked askew and wear out the tyres in short order.
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How about putting in a claim for compensation from the Ambulance Authority or whatever it is called.
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Not a cat in hell's chance of winning, the ambulance driver didn't instruct pologirl to mount the kerb, she did it on her own initiative.
I'd replace the alloy if it's more than a scuff, if it's only a scuff then Chips away or similar would probably repair it for you, but check the price of a replacement first, it might be cheaper from a breakers.
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>>There's a fair chunk/scuff out of the rim.
If its gone beyond the coating,its scrap!!
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At the very least the tyre needs to come off the rim and be carefully inspected for wall damage on the inside. I have seen a tyre where the driver had to take the same sort of avoiding action as you. The outside, on superficial inspection just had a few minor scuff marks. The inside, when examined after removal from the wheel, had broken cords and de-lamination damage.
Wheels and tyres aren't cheap but being around to spend money in the future is worth it.
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from HJ FAQ
For repairs to damaged alloy wheels, try A1 Wheel renovations of 345 Bilston Road, Wolverhampton (01902 871422); Spit & Polish of Tonbridge, Kent (01732 367771); Wheelbrite of London (0171 431 9015); Pro Clean Alloys of Prescot in Merseyside www.procleanalloys.co.uk. www.wickedwheels.co.uk (0870 3003 224) comes to your car to fix the wheels. www.lap-tab.co.uk.
w******************** Preston, Lancs.
Wheels Approved, 87A Woodham Park Road, Woodham, Weybridge, Surrey KT15 3TQ wheelsapproved@msn.com tel: 07949 202388 or 01932 355356.
I used A1 Wheel in Wolverhampton they did a grand job
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PG, if the scuff occurred at v low speed I very much doubt that the wheel is irreparably damaged. The biggest issue will be one of cosmetics. Check out the price of a new wheel and compare with refurb prices. This outfit gets a good chit from various sources: www.wheelrefurbishing.co.uk/
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Ah, thanks all.
VW advised yesterday that my front tyres are getting near to needing replacing so I was planning to visit the tyre place tomorrow. I have no idea what my spare looks like - I know it's full size but I don't think it's an alloy.
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ive seen alloys go out of shape from just hitting a single pot-oil so its deffo one for the boys that sing you cant get better to peruse over
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my front tyres are getting near to needing replacing so I
You aren't very far from Micheldever Tyres are you? They also do re-furbs on alloys.
Alloys really aren't worth the time, trouble and expense.
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>>.>> Alloys really aren't worth the time trouble and expense.
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Of initial purchase, I meant to say.
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A fair refurb shouldn't cost much more than £50 or so. If you are near Micheldever, try them. But there are plenty of others out there in the phone book. check the smoothness of the new paint/lacquer - some of these outfits are better than others.
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Unfortunately Micheldever don't deal with Appleyard so I've had to go elsewhere since I've had the Golf :(
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Brian Appleyard... used to drive Fords and Allards in the fifties...
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I think you might need a lie down, Lud!
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